Russian (Major)
The Slavic and Eurasian Program
Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Tetyana Shlikhar
The Slavic and Eurasian program at Notre Dame features small class sizes, close relationships with faculty, opportunities to do research and write a senior thesis, multiple avenues to study abroad in a Russian-speaking country, cultural events in the South Bend and Chicago areas, and much more!
Our classes are discussion-based and draw on interdisciplinary approaches that integrate history, politics, language, literature, art, and Slavic and Eurasian culture to provide you with a full understanding of this complex region. They will give you the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to think critically and independently about the Slavic, East-European, and Eurasian world, as well as the intercultural competence to succeed in a study abroad program, internship, or job in the region.
As scholars, our faculty are leaders in Slavic and Eurasian cultural studies. They publish their work in high-impact journals and with well-regarded university presses. Our faculty members provide highly acclaimed courses in English, covering timely topics such as the current geopolitical situation, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its origins, Armenian literature, as well as the masterpieces of Russian literature.
Study Abroad
Our students are encouraged to experience firsthand the excitement of being immersed in Slavic and Eurasian culture through participation in a study program in a country where the target language is spoken. Programs are available during the summer (five to nine weeks) or for an entire semester or academic year. Credits earned for course work taken in an approved program may be applied toward a Russian major or minor at Notre Dame.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ten courses (thirty credit hours) at the 20000 level and above, including at least six courses taught by departmental faculty | ||
| Required Courses: | 12 | |
| Intermediate Russian I | ||
| Intermediate Russian II | ||
| Advanced Russian I (in Russian) | ||
| Advanced Russian II (in Russian) | ||
| Six three-credit literature or culture courses offered by the department numbered at least 20201, including at least one course each at the 30000 and 40000 levels | 18 | |
| Participants in an approved semester-long program in a Russian speaking country are automatically exempt from the language course that is offered concurrently with their semester abroad. | ||
| With the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, one course on a Slavic and Eurasian subject taught in another department, such as Anthropology, History, Political Science, or Theology, may be counted toward the Russian major. | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Senior Thesis
Russian majors who elect to write a Senior Thesis must meet the following requirements:
- The student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the major,
- Should be nominated by two members of the Slavic faculty during the spring semester of his or her junior year and no later than the first week of classes fall semester of the senior year, and
- The thesis may be written in either Russian or English with a length of between 25–35 pages, including notes and references. (Exceptions beyond 35 pages require advisor approval.) Two bound copies of the final document are to be submitted to the Department. For the fall semester the student will receive a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade (3 credits). At the completion of the thesis in the spring semester, the student will be given a letter grade (3 credits). Only the spring credits may count toward the 30-credit hour requirement for the major.
Honors Track
Russian majors who wish to receive Departmental Honors must meet the above criteria as well as the following:
- The student will present their thesis work in a public forum, such as a departmental colloquium or an undergraduate conference, and
- The student must maintain a departmental GPA of 3.5 and receive no lower than an A– on the Senior Thesis.